In Africa, tree plantations are expected to develop for several reasons: restoration of production capacities and services provided by natural forests, enhancement of agroforestry lands, easier harvesting of wood and non-wood forest products, mitigation of climate change effects, etc. As exotic species only provide specific services, it is important to revitalize the planting of local species.
This is the subject of a new book published by the Presses Agronomiques de Gembloux. This book focuses on the species of dense rainforests, capitalizing on the results of past or recent trials in six African countries, and mobilizing the skills and knowledge of thirteen specialists, including several ATIBT members.
The book deals in a practical way with the different stages of a silvicultural program: harvesting and management of seeds, construction and management of nurseries, installation and management of plantations. An estimate of the costs and profitability of such plantations is also provided. Finally, the book describes in detail the silvicultural itinerary of 50 tree species of the African rainforests.
This guide is intended for a wide audience: forest managers, forest technicians and engineers, students and scientists interested in tropical silviculture.
It can be downloaded for free here (in French).
Printed copies will also be widely distributed to various stakeholders of the sustainable tropical forest management.
